Sustainable urban pattern in an old town in the Elqui Valley, Chile

Abstract

This article reveals the existence of a bioclimatic urban pattern in an old village in Elqui Valley, Chile. This pattern was discovered when attempting to relate the ancient settlements of this Valley with the natural resources in the area, in order to achieve thermal comfort. Initially, the area's microclimate is studied with bioclimatic charts to then develop an interaction matrix between urban and natural environment variables. The findings show that the village of Algarrobito acts sustainably and efficiently uses the area's natural resources. The matrix shows the presence of an urban bioclimatic pattern. Subsequently, evidence of the existence of such urban pattern in other villages in the Valley is offered. Then, environmental urban planning to achieve thermal comfort was evident in other ancient housing complexes in the Elqui Valley.